Holding out at the start of this period means the player is ready for a potentially lengthy standoff. And though these tensions surface in fewer cases than in previous years (especially with rookie holdouts largely eradicated), it doesn’t take much for a battle to turn ugly.

Here’s a look at several players this year who could be headed for a holdout:

Andre Johnson, WR, Texans

Johnson has made his discontent with the Texans well known, saying he’s not on board for a rebuild. He told NFL Media “we’ll see what happens” come training camp. Though this faceoff might not be about money, it might be the most closely tracked one of the summer.

The right resolution: The Texans need to do whatever it takes to appease Johnson. Doing so will be difficult since Johnson is concerned with winning, but alienating a key player would be a misstep for first-year coach Bill O’Brien. The Texans hold most of the power here, though, so don’t expect anything seismic. Some kind of meeting of the minds is the most likely outcome.

Justin Houston, OLB, Chiefs

Houston joins Alex Smith as a top priority for Kansas City for this offseason. But unlike Smith, the outside linebacker isn’t exhibiting the same patience as the quarterback in reaching a new contract before entering the final year of his current deal.

Houston sat out the Chiefs’ offseason program, forfeiting around $70,000 in the process. With 26.5 sacks and two Pro Bowl selections to his name, the fourth-year pro has outplayed the $1.4 million salary he’s scheduled to make this season. Sitting out at least the start of training camp is his next logical move.

The right resolution: The Chiefs should — and in all likelihood will — take care of Houston. At 25, he has the makings of a premier pass-rusher. Getting him a long-term deal, regardless of a holdout, should be a priority.

Vernon Davis, TE, and Alex Boone, G, 49ers

Davis’ absence from mandatory minicamp caught some by surprise. He still has two years left on a five-year, $36.75 million contract he signed in 2010. In a column for the MMQB, Davis wrote, “It’s all about getting paid what you deserve.”

Boone’s stance is more common. He has two years remaining on a deal that will pay him just $3.2 million in base salary over that time.

Neither move sat well with 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh.

“Disappointed in the decision for them not to be here,” Harbaugh told USA TODAY Sports’ Lindsay H. Jones in June. “There was a voluntary segment to the offseason, and we appreciate those (other) guys volunteering to make the team better. Now it’s mandatory and I wish they could have — this is not the decision I envision being the 49er way.”

The right resolution: The “49er way” will probably win out, and the team isn’t off base. Davis has the third-best contract among tight ends, which is a fair spot. Boosting Boone would be a nice sign of support, but San Francisco has the leverage here.

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks

The inner workings of “Beast Mode” are tough to decipher given his disdain for speaking to the media. But the mercurial running back was an early no-show at mandatory minicamp before eventually popping in without practicing.

Lynch has two years remaining on his existing contract. At 28 and with more than 1,750 carries in his career, he’s smart to stand up for himself. But the Seahawks extended both safety Earl Thomas and cornerback Richard Sherman in the offseason and still must lock up quarterback Russell Wilson at some point.

The right resolution: Lynch doesn’t have much to stand on, but Seattle should make sure he’s on board before the season. A tweak or two to his contract might do the trick.